Brow Lift in St. Louis, MO
You may have been born with gorgeous eyes that have become hidden with age. A normal aging change is the sagging of the eyebrows, which also causes the skin to sag and hang over the eyelids. This detracts from the beauty of your eyes and makes you look older than you are.
If you want to bring your eyes out of hiding and restore a fresher, more youthful appearance to your entire face, you may want to consider brow lift surgery. Our team at Ophthalmic Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Inc., which includes Dr. John B. Holds, an American Board of Ophthalmology Fellow, performs brow lifts and many other cosmetic surgeries and reconstructive procedures in St. Louis.
What Is a Brow Lift?
A brow lift – also known as a forehead lift – is a surgical procedure designed to elevate the eyebrows, reduce forehead wrinkles, and create a more youthful, refreshed appearance. This transformative surgery smooths the skin and addresses sagging brows that can give a tired or angry look.
Benefits of a Forehead Lift
Forehead lift surgery is a straightforward procedure that can be safely performed to:
- Reduce sagging skin of the upper eyelid.
- Make your eyes look naturally larger.
- Soften frown wrinkles between the eyes or across the top of the nose, creating a smooth forehead.
- Correct abnormalities of eyebrow shape or position.
- Create a more symmetrical look for your eyes and eyebrows.
Brow Lift Techniques
Though we use the term brow lift fairly ubiquitously, there are actually a variety of brow lift techniques that work to serve different lifting purposes and require varying degrees of surgery.
The four different techniques of brow lifts in St. Louis, MO, that we perform are direct brow lifts, endoscopic brow lifts, temporal brow lifts, and gliding brow lifts.
Let’s take a closer look at what each of those techniques involves and how they are different:
The Direct Brow Lift
The direct brow lift technique involves a single incision placed directly on the brow line that is used to remove excess skin in order to tighten the forehead and is more commonly recommended for our older patients. This ensures that the incision and any minimal scarring left behind afterward are hidden by your brow or forehead wrinkles. The surgery itself is pretty brief, lasting only around 30 minutes to an hour at most. During this time, you will likely either be given a minor local anesthetic or a light sedative to make the whole procedure painless. This means that you’ll be able to head right home once the direct brow lift is complete.
The Endoscopic Brow Lift
An endoscopic brow lift uses the cover provided by your hairline to perform a handful of short incisions just behind it. This brow lift technique can significantly reduce your healing time once the procedure has been completed. That’s because it works by gently manipulating and readjusting the forehead tissue that supports your eyebrows with the use of a tiny endoscope camera to make just the proper adjustments to achieve the perfect look. This form of brow lift will require some more time, taking anywhere between one to two hours. As such, it will also require a strong local anesthetic and sedative, meaning you’ll want to plan a ride home or an overnight stay.
The Pretrichial (Temporal) Brow Lift
Contrary to the endoscopic brow lift in St. Louis, MO, the pretrial brow lift—also known as a temporal brow lift—creates its incisions just below the hairline. Moreover, they also differ because the temporal brow lift technique only works to target the outer third portion of your general eyebrow area. It targets this area specifically because it is the one most affected early on in the process of aging. The temporal brow lift can also be completed in under an hour, making it a simple trip in and out with a minimal need for anesthetics and sedatives.
The Gliding Brow Lift
The gliding brow lift is a unique form of brow lift technique that elevates your brows by separating and “gliding” your forehead skin upwards until the desired tightness is achieved. This method is effective at achieving the desired results while also offering a low rate of complication. However, due to the nature of the surgery, there will likely be some post-op swelling and discomfort during the recovery process. Thankfully, the procedure only takes about an hour, which means you can get back home soon afterward to begin your quick recovery process.
Brow Lift Consultation
When you arrive at our office, you will need to provide a medical history. We need to know about any major illnesses or problems you have had, such as heart disease, hypertension, prior surgeries (especially facial surgery), etc. We also need to know your medical history, including medications or supplements that thin the blood.
Our team will ask you what bothers you about your eyelids, and he will discuss how these aging changes in your eyelids may relate to changes in other parts of your face. Eyebrow position is particularly important in brow lift surgery. He will discuss your surgical goals, talk about what is attainable, and create a plan to accomplish them. A mutual understanding of the goals, expectations, and outcomes is essential to a great result!
Preparing for your Forehead Lift
After your consultation, an examination is then performed to look for any eye conditions, such as dry eye. This could limit or alter the surgical plan and be a possible postoperative concern. As a board-certified ophthalmologist (eye surgeon), as well as an ophthalmic plastic surgeon, our team is attuned to eye diseases and concerns. Some of the best facial and cosmetic surgeons in the area regularly refer patients to our team because of his expertise and ability to operate safely on patients who are at higher risk for complications.
All over-the-counter pain/fever reducers (except Tylenol) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are off limits for a week before eyelid surgery, as are herbal medications such as ginkgo biloba, St. John’s Wort, fish oil, flax seed oil, and vitamin E.
Botox Before A Brow Lift
Brow Lift Procedure
While you are under an anesthetic that will prevent you from feeling any pain, our team makes tiny incisions on your scalp just above your eyebrow or beside your temples and in the scalp, where your hair will hide the minimal scars. He can then lift your skin to eliminate sagging, remove wrinkles, or change the shape of your brows.
Your brow lift surgery will take about one to two hours and is done on an outpatient basis. You can go home shortly after your procedure and shampoo your hair the next day. It is a safe and commonly performed procedure in our practice. Our team has extensive experience performing brow lifts at Ophthalmic Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Inc. in St. Louis, achieving great results for its patients.
Endoscopic Brow Elevation
This specific type of browlift utilizes an endoscope, which is a lighted optic instrument that is inserted into the hairline in a minimally invasive way, allowing the doctor to see the tissues under the skin of your forehead. As a result, only three to five small incisions need to be made behind the hairline where your hair will hide them. Our team can then elevate the skin at the hairline to lift your brows and create a very natural look without damaging any of the important muscles, vessels, or nerves. This ensures that you will have a full range of motion in your forehead and will not lose important sensations as a result of your surgery.
Brow Lift Recovery
Recovery from this procedure is fast, and discomfort is usually minimal. You may experience some minor swelling, bruising, or pain, but makeup can cover any discoloration. You will also receive a prescription for pain medication if you need it. Sutures are removed 6-8 days after surgery. The best news is that the effects of your brow lift will last for a long time, maintaining your youthful look for years to come.
Brow Lift Before and After
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“Dr Holds does amazing work. I trusted him to work on my eyes and he did not disappoint!” – Lisa H.
Can A Brow Lift Be Combined With Other Procedures?
If you also have excessive skin in your upper eyelids causing a droopy appearance, bags under your eyes, wrinkles around the eyes, or volume loss in your face that has caused drooping, you may also opt to have upper eyelid blepharoplasty, lower eyelid blepharoplasty, a midface lift, or fat transfer at the same time as your brow lift procedure.
Will Insurance Cover Brow Lift Surgery?
A brow lift procedure is frequently performed on a cosmetic basis. When there is lost peripheral vision from a severely sagging eyebrow, however, the simple, direct type of brow lift is sometimes covered on a medically necessary basis by insurance carriers.
How Can I Tell if I’m a Good Candidate for a Brow Lift?
A good candidate for a brow lift is someone experiencing:
- Sagging or drooping eyebrows
- Forehead wrinkles
- Lines between the eyes that give a tired or angry appearance
Typically, individuals who are in good overall health, non-smokers, and have realistic expectations about the results are ideal candidates.
If you feel that your upper face contributes to a worn or aged look, a brow lift could help rejuvenate your appearance by lifting the brows and smoothing the forehead.
How Long Will the Results of a Brow Lift Last?
The results of a brow lift are generally long-lasting. Many patients enjoy the benefits for 10 to 15 years.
Keep in mind, though, that the aging process will continue. Factors like sun exposure, lifestyle habits, and genetics can influence how long the effects remain noticeable.
A brow lift offers dramatic, lasting results. However, you may want to consider future touch-ups or complementary procedures down the line to maintain a youthful appearance.
How Does a Brow Lift Differ From a Facelift?
A brow lift specifically targets the upper third of the face. It focuses on lifting the eyebrows and smoothing forehead wrinkles.
In contrast, a facelift addresses the middle and lower portions of the face. This includes sagging skin around the cheeks, jawline, and neck.
These two procedures can complement each other. However, they address different areas of concern. For someone primarily looking to correct a drooping brow and forehead lines, a brow lift is a more appropriate choice.
Will a Brow Lift Change My Hairline?
In some cases, a brow lift can affect the hairline.
Surgeons can place incisions at or near the hairline to minimize visible scarring. However, it’s essential to discuss this concern with your surgeon during your initial consultation.
If preserving your hairline is important, techniques such as the endoscopic brow lift may be recommended. This method uses smaller incisions that are less likely to alter the hairline.
How Visible Are the Scars After a Brow Lift?
Scars from a brow lift are usually minimal and well-concealed within the hairline or natural creases of the skin. Over time, these scars fade and become less noticeable.
Our surgeons at Ophthalmic Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery use advanced techniques to ensure the incisions are strategically placed to minimize visibility. Proper postoperative care, including following your surgeon’s guidelines on wound care and sun protection, can further reduce the appearance of scars.
Why Choose Ophthalmic Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Inc.?
At Ophthalmic Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Inc., we prioritize creating a friendly, comfortable environment where patients can make informed decisions without feeling pressured.
We understand the importance of accessibility. That is why we strive to accommodate emergency patients and work with various health insurance plans to provide care for those in need.
Our dedication to excellence also means we continuously improve and never accept imperfect results. Furthermore, fair pricing ensures that quality care remains accessible to all. It’s an honor to be entrusted with your care, and we aim to exceed your expectations.